Search - The Virgin's Lover

While I loved The Other Boleyn Girl, and enjoyed The Queen’s Fool, this book was a bit of a disappointment. While I still enjoy the way Gregory makes historical figures real, I was very disappointed with her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in this book. Instead of the strong Queen, after which an entire era was named, we have a whiny, insecure, indecisive ninny. This I took great exception to. Although I am willing to accept a great deal of leeway in fiction, this seemed over the top to me. I did enjoy the rationalization of the ‘crime’, distasteful as it may be, but for the most part found the depiction of women in this book to be rather misogynistic. Not one of her better efforts.

Well, I think this book was a bit over hyped and a let down to Philippa Gregory's prior works. Any fan of the Tutor age will love this book. The writing is sharp, clever and is written so colorfully that you really do have an idea of how people were back then. An enjoyable read full of lust, deception and plotting (not unlike our modern day politics). Go ahead and try it!

While I always enjoy a book set int eh Elizabethan period, I think I'm one of the few who found this book horrid. I had never thought that anyone would portray Queen Elizabeth as a weak, sniveling woman who can't function without her lover by her side.

A really great read, you won't be disappointed with any of her books. They are excellent in details and intrique.

characters are believable.

Part of the Tudor series, this book focuses on a young Queen Elizabeth I, and capitalizes on the historical speculation that Elizabeth was sexually involved with her childhood friend, handsome and charming Robert Dudley. As if Elizabeth weren't an interesting enough woman on her own, this fun insight into what she might have been like as a young woman in her prime lends a delicious nuance to her.